BABY CORN PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND MARKETING

IN THAILAND

Report Submitted to

Field Fresh Foods Pvt. Ltd

Gurgaon

India

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

LIST OF TABLES iii

LIST OF FIGURES iii

INTRODUCTION 1

1. MARKET OVERVIEW 1

1.1 World Market Overview 1

1.2 Thai Market Overview 2

2. PRODUCTION AREA AND CROP ENVIRONMENT 4

2.1 General Environmental Requirements 4

3. BABY CORN VARIETY AND AVAILABILITY 6

4. DETERMINING LABOR AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 8

5. BABY CORN PRODUCTION COST, PRICE AND MARKETING IN

THAILAND

10

5.1 Baby Corn Production Cost and Return 10

5.2 Baby Corn Prices 11

5.3 Baby Corn Marketing 14

6. PRODUCTION PROCEDURES AND INPUTS 15

6.1 Land Preparations 15

6.2 Soil Analysis 15

6.3 Planting Method 15

6.4 Seed Rate 16

6.5 Irrigation 16

6.6 Fertilization 17

6.7 Weeding 18

6.8 Detasseling 18

6.9 Crop Protection 18

6.10 Harvesting and Storage 20

6.11 Yield and Recovery Yield 20

7. BABY CORN PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS 22

7.1 Quality Problem 22

7.2 Price Fluctuation 23

7.3 Local Market Problem 23

7.4 Export Problem 23

8. STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR BABY CORN PRODUCT 25

8.1 Fresh Baby Corn 25

8.2 Canned Baby Corn 25

8.3 Frozen Baby Corn 26

9. BABY CORN POSTHARVEST PROCEDURES 27

9.1 Buying Processes of Factory 27

Title Page

9.2 Processing of Canned Baby Corn

29

10. IMPLEMENTATION OF GLOBAL GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE 33

10.1 Good Agricultural Practice Standard 33

10.2 QA System 36

10.3 Criteria and Conditions for Farm Certification Quality Management System 42

10.4 CODEX Standard for Baby Corn 47

11. BABY CORN FARMING/BUSINESS STRUCTURE 52

11.1 Farm Operation 52

11.2 Farm Auditing 52

11.3 Collection and Grading 53

11.4 Pack-House and Processing 53

11.5 Community Development 53

11.6 Environment 53

11.7 Ethical trading 53

12. COMMERCIAL THAI COMPANIES 55

ii

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

1 Baby corn export from Thailand during 2002-2004 3

2 Baby corn import countries in 2004 3

3 Regional production in Thailand in 2004 4

4 Popular baby corn varieties and their characteristics 7

5 Example of production planning of baby corn for the expected product with

husk not less than 2000 kg/day in the area of 4ha1/

9

6 Baby corn growing area, production, yield, farm gate price and farm value,

crop year 1997/98-2003-04

10

7 Cost of baby corn production in 2004/2005 average from the whole country 11

8 The prices of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005 12

9 The prices of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005 13

10 Recommended herbicides for baby corn production 18

11 Recommended insecticides for baby corn production 19

12 Recommended fungicides for baby corn production 19

13 Principles, criteria and assessments for quality management system: Good

Agricultural Practice

37

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

Title Page

1 Production schedule for baby corn production from sowing and harvest dates 4

2 Monthly average wholesale price of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005 12

3 Monthly average wholesale price of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005 13

4 Marketing flow of baby corn in west region of Thailand 14

5 Ridged planting 16

6 Planting tools of the farmer in Kanjana Buri Province, Thailand 16

7 Furrowing irrigation 17

8 Baby corn planting in Kanjana Buri Province, Thailand 17

9 Baby corn products 20

10 Baby corn hush for animal feeding 21

11 Fresh baby corn production process 26

12 Baby corn selling processes from farmer to broker in Kanjanaburi Province 28

13 Production process diagram of canned baby corn 31

14 Export procedures for baby corn from Thailand 32

15 Processes of checking on toxic in vegetables for export 44

16 Business structure for fresh and frozen baby corn factory 52

iii

1

BABY CORN PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND MARKETING IN

THAILAND

INTRODUCTION

Baby corn is the ear of maize plant (Zea mays L.) harvested young, especially before or just after

the silks has emerged and no fertilization has taken place. The de-husked ears can be eaten as a

vegetable, whose delicate flavor and crispiness are much in demand in Thailand and abroad.

Baby corn is free from pesticide and its nutritional value is comparable to cauliflower, cabbage,

tomato, eggplant and cucumber. Its by-products, such as tassel, young husk, silk and green stalk,

provide good cattle feed. Cattle manure can then be used, enabling organic recycling through the

plant-animal chain. Baby corn provides many food benefits to people. Farmers can grow four to

five crops a year. Thus production of baby corn generates employment among the rural poor of

all ages. Brokers who buy from farmers, canneries, wholesale and retail merchants in Bangkok

and exporters have already benefited from this crop in Thailand.

In the past two decades, baby corn production has proved a remarkable success for farmers and

the nation as a whole and has lessons for replication elsewhere.

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

1.1 World Market Overview

Baby corn production and markets are expanding worldwide, especially in Asia, Africa and South

America, although Asia has the highest baby corn consumption. Baby corn is usually consumed

as fresh; however, frozen and canned baby corn also has a large market share particularly for

export. Countries known as major exporters of baby corn include Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,

China, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Indonesia, South Africa, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and

Honduras. Major baby corn markets are U.K., the U.S., Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

However, statistical information on baby corn production is limited because many producing

countries either neglect to make a report of baby corn production or barely include it in sweet

corn production. The available information of world market situation of baby corn in each region

is summarized as follows:

North America:

One of the largest baby corn markets is the U.S. Many countries in North America usually

import fresh baby corn. However, fresh baby corn is rarely available in retail businesses such as

supermarkets. It is usually used in high-end restaurants, which prefer unhusked baby corn. As for

canned baby corn, the U.S. mostly imports it from Asia including Thailand, Taiwan, and

Indonesia. Factories in the U.S. prefer to buy baby corn in can, and make it into brined baby corn

in glass jars. Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) baby corn has the smallest market share in the U.S.

market in comparison to other processed baby corn products because of its high price.

2

Europe:

European countries import fresh baby corn more than the U.S. Fresh Baby corn is in most

demand here. Baby corn products are imported both in loose and pre-packed forms, though the

later is more prevalent. U.K. is the largest fresh baby corn market in the Europe. In this country,

fresh baby corn is normally distributed through retailers such as supermarkets. This contrasts with

the U.S. market, where fresh baby corn is used primarily in restaurants.

To European countries, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya are known as major

exporting countries. The Netherlands is also considered an exporter to this region. But, it is not

actually a producer because it imports baby corn from Asia and Africa, and re-exports baby corn

to northern Europe as well as the Middle East.

Middle East:

The import volume of baby corn in Middle East countries is mainly accounted for by the

Netherlands. However, baby corn from the Netherlands, in fact, comes from Asia and Africa. The

country just imports baby corn from other producers, and re-exports it to many countries in this

region. Buyers in the Middle East generally import baby corn in the pre-packed form like

European importers. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is the largest importer of canned baby corn.

Asia:

World baby corn supplies mostly come from Asian countries. Therefore, they are regarded as

producers rather than importers. However, there are some Asian countries that import a lot of

baby corn. These are, for instance, Japan, Malaysia, which usually import canned baby corn.

1.2 Thai Market Overview

Baby corn for domestic and foreign consumption has become a significant contributor to the Thai

economy. Baby corn fresh, frozen and canned becomes more and more popular both in Thailand

and abroad. Out of 174,127 tons of baby corn production (2004), 61% was under domestic

consumption, while 39% was exported to other countries. It earns the country more than 1 billion

Baht (1 US$@39 Baht) each year. With a short period of cultivation, only 45-60 days, farmers

can reap the crop and fetch 12,500-18,750 Baht per ha. Also, there are few pests to attack the

plant. Moreover, parts of baby corn trees after harvest can be used as animal feed, especially for

meat and milk cows.

In the global trade, Thailand is estimated to account for 80 percent of the world trade volume of

baby corn. During 2002-2004, Thailand exported fresh baby corn to approximately 30 countries,

and preserved baby corn products to almost 100 countries. Thailand dominates the world baby

corn trade with both fresh and canned products, thus having earned about 1,700 million Baht each

year (Table 1). Among the two products, canned baby corn was exported at a higher volume than

fresh baby corn during the last three years. Thailand manufactures canned baby corn products in

various package sizes, but a 1.5-kilogram can size conforms to industry standards, and is

prevalently popular among food processors and the food-service industry. As for fresh baby corn

3

markets, Malaysia is the biggest importing countries with the share of around 51% of the export

volume.

Table 1: Baby corn exports from Thailand during 2002-2004

Canned baby corn

(Tons)

Value

(Baht)*

Fresh baby corn

(Tons)

Value

(Baht)

2002 61,413 1,643 3,954 173

2003 62,830 1,645 8,444 197

2004 63,473 1,675 3,853 244

Source: Department of Agricultural Extension, 2005 ( *1 US$@39 Baht)

Many countries import baby corn from Thailand. In 2004, U.S.A was Thailand's largest export

market for baby corn, accounting for 31.2 percent of Thailand's total export volume (Table 2).

Food processors in the U.S. prefer to buy canned baby corn while countries in the European

region prefer the fresh product. U.K. is the largest customer of Thailand for fresh baby corn,

however, there are high competitors mostly from African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia,

and Kenya while Sri Lanka is also one big exporter in the European market. This has resulted in a

decrease in Thailand's market share.

The import volume of baby corn in Middle East countries is mainly accounted for the

Netherlands. However, baby corn from the Netherlands, in fact, comes from Asia and Africa. The

country imports baby corn from other producers, and re-exports it to many countries in this

region. Buyers in the Middle East generally import baby corn in the pre-packed form like

European importers. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is the largest importer of canned baby corn.

Within Asian countries, Malaysia is the largest importing country followed by Japan, Hong Kong

and Singapore. Japan and Singapore imported fresh baby corn more than canned baby corn, while

Hong Kong is high exporting country of Thai canned baby corn.

Table 2: Baby corn importing countries in 2004

Country Export volume (tones) Percent (%) U.S.A. 21,029 31.2

Japan 4,820 7.2

England 4,229 6.3

The Netherlands 4,201 6.2

Canada 3,744 5.6

Australia 3,503 5.2

Germany 3,280 4.9

Others 22,520 33.5

Source: Department of Agricultural Extension, 2005

4

2. PRODUCTION AREA AND CROP ENVIRONMENT

Baby corn is one of the highly adapted crops which can be grown throughout the country. In

Thailand, the estimated baby corn production over the country was 174, 127 tons in 2004. Its

major producing areas are in the West and North and some provinces in the Northeast, which

produced more than 90% of the total baby corn production of the country (Table 3). The major

provinces of baby corn production are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon pathom, Ratchaburi, Nakhon

sawan and Nakhon ratchasima.

Table 3: Regional production in Thailand in 2004

Region Volume (tones) Percent (%)

North 18,259 10.49

Northeast 962 0.55

Central 608 0.35

East 73 0.04

West 153,695 88.27

South 530 0.30

Total 174,127 100

Source: Department of Agricultural Extension, 2005

2.1 General Environmental Requirements

Baby corn grows well in a wide range of soil types but it thrives best in loose soil, which drains

well. A suitable soil for baby corn has a wide pH range. It can also grow in very acid soil, but

cannot grow in wetland with low drainage. As for temperature, the plant prefers full sunlight

necessary to its growth. Consequently, successful growth requires a minimum average

temperature of 24-35 °C. Nevertheless, the daytime temperature exceeds 35 °C; baby corn may

be injured slow growth. Baby corn can be grown year-round, approximately 4-5 times a year. The

resulting in schedule for baby corn production throughout the year is shown in Figure 1.

No. of

crop

Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1 st

crop

2 nd

crop

3 rd

crop

4 th

crop

5 th

crop

Figure 1: Production schedule for baby corn production from sowing and harvest dates

According to the Department of Agriculture, Thailand, the growing environments recommended

for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Thailand are as follows:

5

1. Topography

o Can grow in every region of Thailand where there is water availability

o Flat plain area and slop less than 5%

o No water logging

o Far from pollution source

o Good transportation system, near collector, market and factory

2. Soil type

o Loam, loamy clay mix with sand or loam mix with sand

o High fertility, organic matter should not be less than 1.5%, available phosphorus

more than 10 mg/kg and exchangeable potassium not less than 40 mg/kg

o Loose soil, which drains well

o Soil surface depth 25-30 cm

o pH ~ 5.5-6.8

3. Climate

o Year-round. Baby corn can be grown 4-5 times a year.

o Temperature between 24-35 0C

o Average rainfall distribution 1,000-1,200 mm/year

o Full sunlight

4. Water source

o Water availability for the whole growing season

o Clean water without polluted organic or inorganic contamination

6

3. BABY CORN VARIETY AND AVAILABILITY

In Thailand, baby corn varietals improvement has been started since 1976 with the initial

approach to develop open-pollinated variety (OPV). In 1981, researchers were able to release

Rangsit-1, a composite variety that met desirable characteristics as high yield, yellow in ear color,

good kernel arrangement, downy mildew resistance and wide environmental adaptation. This

variety was widely used by farmers for some time before the introduction of a hybrid variety. The

key progress for hybrid varietals development was the cooperative involvement of researchers

from the public and private sectors in an integrated approach. International agencies also

provided breeding materials, support for research and human resources, making sustained

research and development. Nowadays, researchers have been more focused on various research

aspects of hybrid variety. In their opinion, hybrid variety is superior to composite variety since it

can produce ears with better quality in terms of flavor, texture and higher standard sizes. Thus,

breeding of baby corn variety emphasize on the high quality of young cobs and downy mildew

resistant cultivars. Large germ plasma collections of corn are maintained at the Kasetsart

University, the Department of Agriculture and local seed companies.

There are differences in demand for baby corn varieties. The varietals preference is varied from

place to place. Each of them has its own different suitability and advantage. In rain fed area,

farmers prefer opened pollinated variety since it is more resistance to the unsuitable environment.

However, hybrid varieties are more popular than open pollinated varieties in most areas because

of uniformity of cob size, cob height, plant height, flowering and silking date, and maturity

harvesting period. Besides, they produce higher and better quality yield than open-pollinated ones

and get a good acceptance from the producing factories. Comparisons of significant

characteristics of selected popular varieties in Thailand are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Popular baby corn varieties and their characteristics

Characteristics

Variety

Hybrid Open-pollinated

G 5414 SG 18 1/ Pacific-116 Pacific-283 Uniseeds

B-65

Kasetsart2 Chieng-

mai90

Suwan2

Yield with husks (ton/ha) 11.25-12.50 10.63-

15.63

9.38-10 13.75-15 11.25-

11.88

10-11.25 5.44-7.5 4.66

Yield without husk (kg/ha) 1687-2375 1875-2687 1,687-

1,812

2,187-

2,500

1,875-

2,187

1,750-

1,875

937-

1,250

750

Exchange rate 2/ 6.5:1 6:1 5.5:1 6:1 6:1 5.5:1 6:1 6:1

No of cob/plant 2-3 2-3 3 3-4 2-3 2 2-3 2

Cob color Light yellow Light

yellow

Yellow Light

yellow

Yellow Light

yellow

Yellow Yellow

Uniformity of cob Very good Very good Very good Very good Very good Very good Good Fair

Detasselling (DAP) 44 - 46-48 45-47 52 - 40-42 40-43

Length of silk at

harvesting (cm)

3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 1-3 3-4 3-5

First harvesting age (DAP) 49 50-52 48-50 47-49 54 51 43-45 45-48

Harvesting period (day) 5-6 5-6 6-8 5-7 5-6 5 5-10 5-10

Downy mildew resistant Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good

Strength of stem Strong Strong Strong Strong Strong Strong Fair Moderate

Releasing agency Syngenta

Seed Co. Ltd

Syngenta

Seed Co.

Ltd

Pacific

Seed Co.

Ltd

Pacific

Seed Co.

Ltd

Uniseed

Co. Ltd

Kasetsart

University

Department

of

Agriculture

Kasetsart

University

1/ No detasselling because it is sterilized

2/ Ratio of yield with husk and yield without husk

4. DETERMINING LABOR AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

The majority of baby corn growers in Thailand have long experience in growing baby corn from

their own parents; however, they are not familiar with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The

training is necessary when the farmer want to adopt GAP. The department of Agriculture and

Department of Agricultural Extension are responsible to train these farmers, 1-2 times at the

beginning and some additional seasonal/critical growing period training if necessary. At the same

time the officers have to monitor them in the field during every production process to make sure

that the farmer can follow GAP properly. Besides, most companies also provide specific training

to their contract farmers in some critical production stages.

Although baby corn is well-adapted short period growing crop, it requires intensive labour for

good production. The most critical periods for baby corn are during detasselling and harvesting.

To avoid this problem the farmer are recommended to divide their area to small plots of 0.16-0.2

ha and delay growing period of each small plot 5-7 day as show in the Table 5.

8

9

Table 5: Example of production planning of baby corn for the expected product with husk not less than 2,000 kg/day in the area of 4 ha.1/

Planting

date

Harvesting date (on February) Harvesting date (on March) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

2 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250 3 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250 4 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250 5 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250 10 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

11 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

12 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

13 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

14 Jan 100 150 300 400 700 500 600 600 400 250

Yield with

husk (kg)

100 250 550 950 1650 2050 2500 2800 2800 2450 2100 1800 1600 1900 2050 2500 2800 2800 2350 1850 1250 650 250

Yield

without

husk (kg) 2/

14 35 77 134 232 289 352 394 394 345 296 253 225 268 289 352 394 394 331 260 176 92 35

Remarks: 1/

Assume that the first planting series is during 1-5 January and the second series is during 10-14 January, each day grown 0.8 ha.

The delay of one series to another is 4 days (this period is used for seed, fertilizer and labor preparation)

Before start planning to meet yield with husk 2,000 kg/day in the area of 4 ha, the farmer should try with 0.16 ha with complete

record from the first day till the last days of harvesting.

2/

Calculated from the exchange rate at 7.1:1

Source : Rakhakul, 2004

10

5. BABY CORN PRODUCTION COST, PRICE AND MARKETING IN THAILAND

5.1 Baby Corn Production Cost and Return

In comparison of baby corn production between year1997/1998 and 2003/2004, total production

area of baby corn in Thailand was increased from 29,115 ha to 34,858 ha while the total

production was increased from 215,122 tons to 249,303 tons or increased to 19.7% and 23.4%

respectively as shown in Table 6. However the trend of average yield per ha was decreased may

be due to deterioration of soil fertility since most of the farmers grow corn continuously the

whole year round with very rare organic fertilizer application.

Major investment of baby corn is labor cost since it is labor intensive requirement crop. Although

pesticide is not intensively used in baby corn due to short duration crop, investment of fertilizer

and seed are considered high. Most of the farmers use hybrid seed from the company which

require high dose of fertilizer application. In addition, with the new regulation of import, country

also force the farmers to have many additional investments to improve their production process to

meet the standard requirement of the consumer.

Table 6: Baby Corn growing area, production, yield, farm gate price and farm value, crop year

1997/98-2003-04

/PA = Planting Area

/HA = Harvesting Area

Year Planted area Harvested

area Production

Yield per ha

(kg)

Farm gate

price Farm value

(ha) (ha)

1,000 (tons)

/(PA) /(HA) (Baht/kg) (million Baht)

1997/98 29115.84 27991.2 215.122 7387.5 7687.5 20.62 4,435.816

1998/99 29168.48 28216.8 199.810 6850.0 7081.3 15.22 3,041.108

1999/00 26175.04 22813.6 189.624 7243.8 8312.5 19.05 3,612.337

2000/01 24623.2 22580.5 177.142 7193.8 7843.8

18.25 3,232.842

2001/02 37179.52 34852.6 284.130 7643.8 8150.0

17.21 4,889.877

2002/03 37380.8 36032.5 255.221 6825.0 7081.3 17.63 4,499.546

2003/04 34858.24 34556.5 249.303 7151.9 7214.4 18.69 4,659.473

Source : Department of Agricultural Extension, 2005

11

Table 7: Cost of baby corn production in 2004/2005 average from the whole country

Item

Without husk With husk

Cash None

cash

Total Cash None

cash

Total

Baht 1. Variable costs 15331.4 5027.5 20358.9 11784.4 2784.8 14569.1

1.1 Labor 7305.0 4824.8 12129.8 5049.4 2705.0 7754.4

Land preparation 2422.3 115.3 2537.6 1687.3 146.4 1833.6

Planting 464.1 416.8 880.9 294.8 181.1 475.9

Management 506.8 2607.4 3114.2 596.9 902.1 1498.9

Harvesting 3911.9 1685.3 5597.1 2470.6 1475.4 3946.0

1.2 Materials 7652.4 80.1 7732.6 6447.5 11.8 6459.3

Seed 2419.1 41.3 2460.3 2104.5 0.0 2104.5

Fertilizer 4182.6 0.0 4182.6 3608.9 0.0 3608.9

Pesticide + herbicide 575.3 0.0 575.3 303.3 0.0 303.3

Fuel 221.7 0.0 221.7 193.1 0.0 193.1

Agricultural equipments &

other materials

247.5 36.3 283.8 219.0 11.1 230.1

Repair and maintenance 6.3 2.6 8.9 18.7 0.7 19.4

1.3 Capital opportunities cost 373.9 122.6 496.6 287.4 67.9 355.4

2. Fixed cost 0.0 2043.7 2043.7 0.0 1780.8 1780.8

Land rent 0.0 1943.9 1943.9 0.0 1649.3 1649.3

Equipment depreciation value 0.0 93.1 93.1 0.0 126.3 126.3

Equipment investment

opportunities cost

0.0 6.6 6.6 0.0 5.2 5.2

3. Total cost/ha (Baht/ha) 15331.4 7071.2 22402.6 11784.4 4565.6 16349.9

4. Total cost/kg (Baht/kg) 7.3 0.0 10.6 1.5 0.0 2.1

5. Yield per hectare (kg/ha) 2110.1 7888.6

6. Farmer price at the field (Baht/kg) 16.0 2.3

7. Return per hectare (Baht) 33804.2 18380.4

8. Net return per hectare (Baht) 18472.8 0.0 11401.6 6596.0 0.0 2030.4

9. Net return per kilogram (Baht) 8.8 0.0 5.4 0.8 0.0 0.3

Source: Office of Agricultural Economics, 2005

5.2 Baby Corn Prices

While the cost of investment of baby corn seems to increase every year, the price of baby corn is

almost no different from the last ten years (Table 8 and 9). The price is high during rainy season

since the supply is less and the farmers have to delay their planting due to difficulty of land

preparation (Figure 2). However, nowadays, there are increasing number of livestock farms near

baby corn production area, the farmer can have additional income from the sell of baby corn

stems after harvesting about 4375-5000 Baht/ha and also husk after removing cob at the price of

0.5 Baht/kg.

12

Table 8: The prices of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005

Price of baby corn without husk, 1999-2005

(Baht/kg)

Month/Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Average

Jan. 20.83 14.67 16.42 19.75 20.44 19.25 18.58 18.56

Feb. 20.8 13.25 17.21 18.55 18.04 19.92 20.58 18.34

March 21.67 12.25 17.91 18.42 14 19.8 20.67 17.82

April 23.72 13 18.33 17.21 17 19.89 20.78 18.56

May 19.48 18.2 18.33 16.23 18.83 20 20.34 18.77

June 19.35 24.5 15.71 17.48 19.73 20.33 20.67 19.68

July 20.25 20 15.82 16.8 17.08 20.37 20.67 18.71

Aug. 16.5 17.75 16.83 15.58 18.08 21.67 22 18.34

Sep. 17.87 16.37 17.54 17.12 20.67 22.25 23.58 19.34

Oct. 17.37 16.9 15.62 16.83 20.33 21.04 23.6 18.81

Nov. 17 15.57 19.04 18.29 19.35 20.04 24.42 19.10

Dec. 15 15.6 17.74 19.31 20.67 20.96 - 18.21

Average 19.16 16.51 17.21 17.63 18.69 20.46 21.44 18.73

Source: Office of Agricultural Economics, 2005

Figure 2: Monthly average wholesale price of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005

Price of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005

16.50

17.00

17.50

18.00

18.50

19.00

19.50

20.00

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug sep Oct Nov

Month

Pri

ce (

bah

t/kg

)

Average price of baby corn without husk during 1999-2005

13

Table 9: The prices of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005

Price of baby corn with husk, 1999-2005

(Unit: Baht/kg)

Month/Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Avg.

Jan 3.42 4.00 3.26 3.34 3.93 2.25 2.42 3.23

Feb 2.73 3.14 3.00 2.78 3.28 2.00 2.50 2.78

March 2.79 2.71 2.97 2.70 2.96 3.00 1.50 2.66

April 2.74 2.76 3.32 3.16 2.90 3.33 2.50 2.96

May 2.92 2.93 3.41 3.48 3.60 2.93 2.25 3.07

June 3.05 2.84 2.78 3.18 4.57 2.75 2.03 3.03

July 2.82 2.54 2.88 3.07 3.56 2.00 2.27 2.73

Aug 2.64 2.67 3.00 2.76 2.82 2.60 3.67 2.88

Sep 2.30 2.67 2.72 3.16 3.00 3.00 2.91 2.82

Oct 2.40 2.53 2.98 3.14 2.25 3.00 2.57 2.70

Nov 2.93 3.31 3.60 3.03 2.81 2.61 2.81 3.01

Dec 4.11 3.59 3.41 3.26 2.87 2.84 - 3.35

Average 2.90 2.97 3.11 3.09 3.21 2.69 2.49 2.93

Source: Office of Agricultural Economics, 2005

Figure 3: Monthly average wholesale price of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005

Price of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Pri

ce (

bah

t/kg

)

Average price of baby corn with husk during 1999-2005

Pri

ce (

Bah

t/k

g)

14

5.3 Baby Corn Marketing

Most of baby corn growers in Thailand sell their products to the local broker. One broker

normally have farmers under his contract about 100-200 farmers. The broker will get the quota

from the factory and distribute it to their contract farmers. They can control product‟s quantity by

planning together with the farmer for the planting and harvesting period. After collecting the

product the broker will sell the good quality products to the factory, and the sub standard

products will be sold to local market or retailers which finally reach to the consumers (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Marketing flow of baby corn in west region of Thailand

Baby corn

grower 100%

Samutsakorn

Ratchaburi,

Nakornpathom

Province

Livestock farm

Canned baby corn

factory

Consumers

Exporters

(Bangkok...

Songkhla

Province

Foreign market

Domestic market

95%

55

5%

70%

%

2%

15%

%

% 5%

10%

3%

%

60%

husk

husk husk

stem

Broker in Bangkok

Retailer

Bangkok/other

provinces

Local broker

15

6. PRODUCTION PROCEDURES AND INPUTS

In intensive baby corn production, planning is the most important issue and requires in order to

control production to meet both quantity and quality demand of the factory and market. Thus,

prior contact with the factory or broker regarding production is highly recommended.

For general, production practices of baby corn in Thailand are similar only with some small

differences according to the region. The Department of Agriculture, Thailand has developed the

GAP for baby corn production manual for farmer adoptions as follow:

6.1 Land Preparations

A seedbed which is deep, well pulverized yet fairly compact is excellent for corn.

For the first plowing use 3 bottom disc plow tractor with the depth of 20-30 cm.

Plowing is done when the field is at the right moisture.

Dry the soil 7-10 days then plow again with 7 bottom disc plow tractor

Harrowing is done at the time the soil has the right moisture content. It is done again

within two days before planting to level the soil.

A clayey and weedy field requires more plowing. In a weedy field where trash is plowed

under, a second or third operation may be needed to obtain a clean seedbed.

6.2 Soil Analysis

If the soil pH lower than 5.5, lime application is recommended with the rate of 1,250

kg/ha

If soil organic matter lower than 1.5%, compost fertilizer and complete digested manure

with the rate of 3,125-6,250 kg/ha is recommended

6.3 Planting Method

(1) Surface or flat-bed planting

Seeds are drilled or hill-planted on a level to slightly rolling topography at a desired depth

and row spacing. It is suited for areas with abundant precipitation and heavy soil types. Plant

spacing is 50x50 cm. 3-4 seeds /hill and thin out to retain only 2 plant/hill after 14 days.

(2) Listed planting

Seeds are placed at the bottom of the V-shaped furrow. A lister which is double mold board

blade is used for opening furrow of this kind. It is practiced in areas where rainfall is a

limiting factor, where soil is drainage is good and the soil is friable. Row spacing is 50 cm,

plant spacing 25-30 cm, 2-3 seeds/hill and thin out to retain only 2 pant/hill after 14 days.

16

Figure 5: Ridged planting

The seeds are placed to a specified depth on top of the ridge. The conditions described in listed

planting are also appropriate for this type.

If the soil contains considerable moisture at planting time, the seeds should be planted from 2 to 5

cm deep. On dry soil, the seeds should be planted 5 to 8 cm deep.

6.4 Seed Rate

Seed germination should be higher than 85%, application rate should be 28-38 kg/ha.

Appropriate plant population will be 112,500- 125,000 plant/ha.

17

Figure 6: Planting tools of the farmer in Kanjana Buri Province, Thailand

6.5 Irrigation

Baby corn trees grow well and yield good quality produce, when planted in soil having humidity

during all the cultivation period. If too much water is given to them, or a lack of water occurs for

a time, the trees will suffer interruption in growth and consequently yield low quality produce.

Defective ears result from a lack of water during corn ear producing time. In general, baby corn

plants should be consistently watered from the beginning of cultivation to the end of harvest.

When they are small, they should be watered every 2-3 days. As they reach the height of 50-60

centimeters, water should be given every 5-7 days. After that, every time soil gets dry, farmers

have to water the trees

Figure 7: Furrowing irrigation

6.6 Fertilization

If soil has organic matter, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium should be lower

than 1.5%, 10 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The recommended rate of fertilizer per hectare

is 312 kg of 15-15-15 in sandy loam soil or 16-20-0 in loamy or loamy clay soil. It should be

applied at the bottom of the hill and covered with 2 to 3 cm layer of soil before planting. When

the plant age of 20 day, apply 46-0-0, rate 312 kg/ha or 21-0-0 rate, 625 kg/ha, by side dress

application and reach the cover with soil.

18

Figure 8: Baby corn planting in Kanjana Buri Province, Thailand

6.7 Weeding

Weeds are the unwanted plant companion of crops. Besides serving as host to plant pest and

diseases, weeds can reduce corn yield by as much as 50 to 80% if left uncontrolled.

Weeds are commonly controlled by hand weeding, hoeing within the rows and cultivation in

between the rows or herbicide as shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Recommended herbicides for baby corn production

Weed Herbicide Application rate/ 20 lit

of water 1/

Application method

Annual weed Metolachlor (40% EC) 150 – 200 ml Spray pre-emergent

when the is moist Alachlor (48% EC) 125-150 ml

Acetochlor (50% EC) 80-120 ml

Paraquat (27.6% SL) 75-100 ml Spray 3-7 days

before plowing or

spray between row

after planting 20

days when the weed

have 2-3 leaves or

before weed

produce flower

Perennial weed Glyphosate (48% SL) 120-160 ml Spray before

planting or before

plowing 7-15 days Glufosinate-ammonium

(15% SL)

300-400 ml

1/ Rate of water 500 lit/ha

19

6.8 Detasseling

Detasseling is achieved by removing all the tassels of corn plants. This is done as soon as the

tassels emerge. After detasseling 2-5 days, the first cob harvesting can be started.

6.9 Crop Protection

Pest and Disease

Insect Pests: The common insect pest which are usually found in baby corn are Spodoptera

exigue, corn stem borer. Details of each pest are as follows:

a). Spodoptera exigue This insect can destroy the crop by eating every young part during 1-2

week after planting. It is more violent during the dry period. To control this insect

b). Corn Stem Borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) Major damage caused by the borer occur at about 20

days up to harvesting stage by destroying the shoot, tassel and the stem causing poor quality of

crop. This damage will be more serious during the dry period. To control this insect pest,

monitoring the insect egg, worm, and damage on the crop regularly. If found during 20-30 days

after planting, the damage should spray insecticide as shown in Table 11.

Table 11: Recommended insecticides for baby corn production

Insect Pest Bio/chemical

Pesticide

Application rate/

20 lit of water

Caution Stop using (day

before harvesting)

Corn Stem

Borer

Cypermethrin

(15% EC)

10 ml Spray when found

1 worm/plant or

damaged of shoot

leave 40-50% of

total leave area

10

triflumuron 50%

WP

30 g 14

Spodoptera

exigue

Nuclear

polyhedrosis

virus

20-30 ml Spray in the

evening when 2-3

insects /plant, 1-2

times every 5

days

1

Beta-cyfluthrin

(2.5 EC)

40 ml Spray when found

2-3 insects/plant

14

Disease: Downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorgh) is the only serious disease of corn in

Thailand. The symptoms of the disease are yellowish stripes appearing on the leaves. Under

moderate temperature and humidity conditions, a white downy, or a powdery mass appears on the

leaves, particularly, under the surface. Affected plants are stunted and produced only small or

unfilled ears. Recommended fungicides are shown in Table 12.

Table 12: Recommended fungicides for baby corn production

20

Disease Chemical

Pesticide

Application rate

1 kg

Caution Stop using (day

before

harvesting)

Downy mildew

Metalaxyl (35%

DS)

7 g Mix with seed

before planting

-

However, baby corn requires practically no application of pesticides because the crop has short

growth duration thereby eliminating the residue factor and minimizing in production cost.

6.10 Harvesting and Storage

The most appropriate time for harvesting baby corn is after silking 2-3 days or when baby corn

silk comes out 1-5 centimeters depending on varieties (Table 4) from the top end of ears, or when

the plant is 45-50 days old depend on each variety. When possible, harvesting should be carried

out in the morning, when the corn's moisture content is highest and product and ambient

temperatures are low. Reap ears on top first, then those below. A baby corn plant produces 3-4

ears. When farmers pluck baby corn ears, the stem should be altogether plucked away so that

farmers will know which trees are not reaped yet. Harvest crops every day and finish within 5-10

days in order to prevent baby corn from being overripe. In case of using unfamiliar baby corn

varieties, farmers should get to know what length of silk indicates the most appropriate

harvesting time by taking ears with different length of silk, and looking inside. Baby corn

varieties have different lifetime ranging from 40 to 60 days. It is suggested that farmers reap 2

ears per tree. The third should be left as it is usually defective, and does not reach export

standards. Timely harvesting is the most crucial thing in baby corn cultivation. Quality of

produce largely depends on this stage of cultivation. For instance, late harvests illustrated by too

long silk coming out from ears result in a too big baby corn size undesirable to processing plants

and traders.

As for harvesting methods, farmers should twist or snap ears away. Next, put them in containers

like baskets, bags, sacks. They should be kept in places with good ventilation, and should not be

heaped or they will easily become rotten. Normally, a harvesting period lasts 10-12 days, except

in the case of Golden Baby harvesting, which lasts 8 to 10 days. On average, there will 5000-

6250 kilograms of baby corn in husk per hectare, or 625-1094 kilograms of husked baby corn per

hectare. However, productivity is also influenced by different baby corn varieties, seasons, and

ways of cultivation.

6.11 Yield and Recovery Yield

The total marketable weight of baby corn was measured with the husk and without the husk. On

21

average, the weight of the edible ear was 13% the weight of the ear with the husk. In conclusion,

ten kilograms of harvested baby corn typically yield 1.5 to 1.8 kilograms of cob without husk, or

about 15 to 20 percent of the harvested weight.

Figure 9: Baby corn products

Apart from consumption use, baby corn has another use. Its stalks and leaves amounting to

30,000 kilograms per hectare, husk and silk amounting to 5,562 kilograms per hectare, and

masculine buds amounting to 3,125 kilograms per hectare can be used as animal feed, especially

for cows raised for meat. Parts of the baby corn tree are rich in nutrients, especially protein found

in the tree 6.4-13.8% and fiber found in the tree 28-30%. Cows fed with corn parts grow better

than those fed with grass or rice straw. As a result, more and more cow farmers turn to use baby

corn parts as animal feed instead of grass. The farmers can earn an additional income from selling

baby corn parts. For instance, baby corn stalks can fetch between 1,250 and 6,250 baht per

hectare according to seasons.

Milk cows also feed on baby corn waste well. Milk cow farmers buy fresh stalks at 1,875-2,500

baht per hectare, and masculine buds at 437-500 baht per hectare. Fresh stalks consisting of

layers of bark are nutritionally rich, having 13.2% of protein and 34.8% of fiber. This nutritional

fact is similar to that of fresh grass. Baby corn stalks help ease cows' digestion as well.

Nowadays, a large number of farmers grow baby corn together with raising cows feeding solely

on baby corn waste. Income comes from sales of baby corn produce, cow milk and cows.

However, growing baby corn together with raising cows entails a great deal of labor. Thus,

farmers should group in planting baby corn every week so that stalks would be sufficient for

feeding cows throughout the year. The following is a formula for calculating a number of

growing areas.

Number of growing areas/week

= Weight of crude food needed by cows/day (kg) x number of cows x 7

Amount of baby corn stalks/rai (kg)

22

Figure 10: Baby corn husk for animal feeding

7. BABY CORN PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS

7.1 Quality Problem

Quality of baby corn often fails to reach factory standards because farmers frequently use

unqualified seeds and do not care for the plant well. The major problems are as follow:

7.1.1 Problems before harvesting which cause unqualified qualities and size

- Use of unqualified varieties, some varieties grows very fast, the farmer can not harvest

in time.

- Use seeds from previous crops, causing none uniform plants.

- High plant population density as farmers want to increase number of cob/ha

- Application of too much fertilizer cause insect and disease infection

- Excess or deficit of water can cause twist cob and delay growing and lower yield

7.1.2 Problems from harvesting to the factory

Harvesting

- Shortage of labour due to baby corn is labour intensive crop the harvesting period is

within 7-10 days only

- Lack of experience of the farmer to consider suitable/mature cobs

Collecting of products from field

- The heat from sunshine can reduce the product qualities if the farmers leave their

products out of shade while waiting for the broker to collect

- Poor ventilated containers also can create high temperature and damage cobs during

transport

23

Transportation and removing husk

- Loss of cob moisture during transportation can cause low weight and poor quality

- Broken cobs, most of the cobs are broken during harvesting and transportation of cob

without husk due to lack of experience of the farmer and carelessness.

- None fresh products: The storage period of cob with husk is 3-5 days but after remove

husk can be store only 1 day.

Broker: Most of the store for collecting and peeling of the broker are located near the road

and thus can not protect products from the dust. After collecting products, from the

farmers have to pile up in a place with poor ventilation, created high temperature and thus

damage to the cobs. Besides, during high production period may have labor shortage for

peeling the husk.

Collecting the products by the factory: During high production period, the broker may

have to wait long queue for quality checking under open sunshine causing reduced

product qualities. Besides, with the high quantity product, sampling method can not

achieve good quality standard.

7.2 Price Fluctuation

Baby corn farmers always face a price drop. This is because of produce distribution through

middlemen. They always offer low prices. Therefore, farmers cannot rest assured on prices.

Worry about prices and markets results in uncertainty of produce volume.

7.3 Local Market Problem

7.3.1 Dividing

This is one of significant problems in baby corn trade. Factories are always strict about quality of

raw materials. If they find unqualified corn ears, they will leave them out and subtract the weight

of defective baby corn from the total weight of baby corn offered by middlemen for sale. If the

number of defective baby corn is huge, they will lose considerable profits. However, middlemen

or produce collectors usually manage to get compensation pay from farmers, claiming that some

of produce they buy is low in quality and cannot be accepted by factories. In consequence, this

entire burden rests on baby corn cultivators, who already suffer the low price of baby corn.

Sometimes, the cultivators run out of morale in growing the plant despite high demand from

markets and processing plants.

7.3.2 Delayed payment from factories

Sometimes, it takes about 2-3 months for factories to pay money to middlemen. Then,

middlemen have to postpone payment to farmers when buying produce. This leads the farmers to

a lack of capital for the next planting. They have to borrow money from many sources to carry on

with baby corn cultivation. Therefore, they have to bear the burden of paying high interest rates.

24

7.4 Export Problem

7.4.1 Local competition

There is a lot of competition in terms of price cutting among local manufacturers due to a

bright trend of canned baby corn import demand. It is getting higher every year. Some exporters

offer prices lower than production costs so that they can seize more market shares from old

exporters. Other exporters have to reduce product prices accordingly to remain competitive.

Inevitably, prices, at which farmers sell their produce, weaken.

7.4.2 Competition with foreign producers

Especially Taiwan, one of Thailand‟s important competitors. Even though Thailand has very

low-price products, those from Taiwan can trade in even lower prices than Thailand's. This

is because of higher production costs in Thailand particularly the cost of canning, and also

low efficiency of production. These factors effects Thailand's market share.

7.4.3 Inadequate gross tonnage

Both canned baby corn and fresh baby corn exports always face no availability of room in

airplanes. Also, the cost for transporting goods in this way is very high. This is because most

airline companies do not favor transportation of fruits and vegetables even though there is high

demand from foreign countries. This makes Thai exporters lose opportunities to reach more

markets worldwide. Moreover, many fresh products often decay while awaiting shipping at

airports. It can be said that considerable income is lost each year.

7.4.4 Failing to reach standards

Both Thai canned baby corn and fresh baby corn do not meet world standards yet. Thai baby corn

exports are often found to be broken, blended with corn silk, and have no consistency in sizes.

Some are too big and some too old. Besides, the packaging, especially that of fresh baby corn,

does not meet standards too.

25

8. STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR BABY CORN PRODUCT

There are three types of baby corn products available in the world market including fresh baby

corn, canned and frozen. The general requirements for baby corn products are as follows:

The most suitable cob size is 1.0-1.5 cm with the length of 4-9 cm; however, the length

can be graded into three categories.

- Big size 7-9 cm

- Medium size 5-7 cm

- Small size 4-5 cm

Cob corn of excellent quality is straight and no damage or broken cob

Cob color is light yellow or yellow

Uniform ovary alignment

Fresh cob storage should not be longer than 24 hours

8.1 Fresh Baby Corn

Most fresh baby corn is packed dehusked in perforated plastic clamshells or punnets for retail

markets. Polystyrene or plastic trays wrapped with film can also be used. Ventilation is required

in all four-side walls. These trays may weigh 125 grams, 150 grams, 170 grams, 200 grams, or

250 grams. Clamshells, punnets, or trays are typically packed 12 in a carton. Carton dimensions

vary depending on net weight and market. Some wholesale markets use 5- to 10-pound waxed

cartons containing corn with husks intact.

In Europe, importers prefer fresh baby corn to be completely free of wrapper leaves and silk, and

laid neatly in clear plastic trays that are aligned next to each other so as to create a relatively level

surface. Each layer must have the cob tips pointing in the same direction. Baby corn is usually

shipped to Europe pre-packed in 250 gram, PVC-over wrapped trays and shipped eight trays per

2-kilogram carton, or in 6-ounce trays with six trays per carton. Labels must include the country

26

of origin, the words "baby corn" if the contents are not visible, the date of packing, and the

weight.

8.2 Canned Baby Corn

The commonest type of canned baby corn is canned baby corn in brine (baby corn and brine as

components). It is often packed in metal cans and glass jars. Baby corn preserved in brine and

packed in glass jars is more expensive than canned baby corn, and consequently has higher

quality. Baby corn in glass jars is a specialty item found mostly in gourmet supermarkets.

Restaurants and other food industries usually do not purchase baby corn in glass jars because it

entails difficulty in storing, is prone to damage, and more costly than canned baby corn.

Generally, sizes of canned baby corn are divided into three categories as15, 20 and 108 Ounces.

Size 15 & 20 Ounces: The remaining 20 percent of total production is the manufacture of canned

baby corn of the 15 and 20 Ounce sizes. Products of these two sizes are mostly domestically sold.

Size 108 Ounce: Factories produce canned baby corn of this size in the volume of 90 percent of

total production. This size is especially for export.

8.3 Frozen Baby Corn

Frozen baby corn, which is mostly used as an ingredient for prepared foods, has possibly the

smallest U.S. market in comparison with other processed baby corn products because of its high

price.

27

Figure 11: Fresh baby corn production process

For baby product export, packages should bear all the labeling information required by the

importing country. Carton labeling may include the following:

· • Country of origin

· • Product/variety

· • Net weight

· • Exporter name/importer name

9. BABY CORN POST HARVEST PROCEDURES

9.1 Buying Processes of Factory

9.1.1 Examination of raw materials before starting the work

The factories usually have other works to do such as seasoning vegetables and fruits, in the mean

time the factory will go ahead with young corns for supplementation when they don‟t have other

products to process. Some factories will process the young corns all year around.

From the information provided by the International Food Ltd. in Lumpang province, the young

corns can be produced 3 times a year, early rainy season between April to July (about 45 days),

late rainy season between August to December (45-50 days), and dry season between January to

March (70 days). In some area although the farmers can grow throughout the year they grow corn

only during part of the year as they grow rice as the main crop.

Collecting of baby corn products vary from factory to factory. Some factories make contract

directly with the farmers. But some factories will buy the raw materials and set the quality and

quantity of young corns through the broker. The factories will give the corn seeds to the farmers

via brokers. The broker will also sell the fertilizer and insecticide to the farmers. The factories

buy and sell baby corn through broker which will cut down the waiting time for sample checking

of the factory. If the factories have too much of young corns, the factory will store the corns in

the refrigerator, usually not more than a day.

9.1.2 Weighing process

The young corns are delivered to the factories by the broker, farmers or brought by the factories

themselves. The corns are packed in the plastic baskets (belong to the factories). They will go

through the process of weighing, quality selections, and then thru the separation of the silks from

the cobs and removal of the damaged corns.

28

9.1.3 Selection of sizes and quality

If the factories buy from the broker, the broker will take the responsibility for the selection of

sizes and quality of the young corns. The factories will randomly check the corns and pay the

broker or the farmers. Usually the factories will reject the corns less than 5%. After going

through the separation process, the corns are washed and send for canning. Generally, during

January to April, about 45% of grade „A‟ corns can be achieved because of ease of control and

adequate water supply.

In Kanchanaburi province, one of the largest baby corn growing areas in Thailand, baby corn

marketing process is via contract farming system between factory and farmers through brokers.

The brokers collect product that meet the standard from their contract farmers and deliver to

factory. The details of this system are shown in Figure 10. Brokers are responsible for initial

grading and sizing the products. Baby corn products that meet factory standard are sent directly

for processing. The other products that are lower than the standard requirement by factory are put

into the local market for domestic consumption.

29

Figure 12: Baby corn selling processes from farmer to broker in Kanjanaburi Province

Farmer

Harvesting period

Notice the suitable

mature cob from the silk

length and cob size

Collection at storage

Broker

Harvest and keep the

cobs in containers

Containers with

harvested cobs

Grade & remove the

over/under size and

damaged cob

Keep the husked cob in

the well ventilated

container

Transport to factory

30

9.2 Processing of Canned Baby Corn

9.2.1 Baby corn raw materials

Baby corn has to be fresh, the length of the cob is between 4-10 centimeters, the diameter is

between 1-1.5 centimeters, straiten cob, kernels in good alignment, no bitten by insects. The

kernels should be in yellow color or cream color. If husk is removed from baby corn, the baby

corn must not show any sign of cutting by knife and no silk attached.

9.2.2 Preparation of corn

1) Cleaning

Cleaning peeled baby corn, getting rid of silk and other dirty objects. After the husk is removed,

the next step is shaking the corns to separate the silks from the corns, and remove the broken

corns or damaged corns from the good. Then wash the corns in water and soak in 0.5% alum for

45-60 minutes to increase the crunch.

2) Boiling

Boiling baby corn in water mixed with citric acid 0.2% for approximately 10 minutes at

temperature 90-100 0

C until it is well cooked. The good quality boiled cob should produce clear

color at the center of the cob and the cob should be able to bend without being broken.

3) Soaking

After boiling, the corns should be put in cold water immediately until the cob is cool.

4) Grading

The corns are graded by sizing. Generally, big corns should have 7-9 centimeters length and 1.4-

1.5 centimeters diameter. Medium corns should have 5-7 centimeters length and 1.2-1.3

centimeters diameter. Small corns should have 4-5 centimeters length and 1.0-1.1 centimeters

diameter.

5) Containers

Packing in cans or glass. In the companies studied under this project, the size of cans and bottles

are as follows;

Can sizes 300 x 407 (height x diameter, in), net weight 225 grams, total weight 425 grams.

Can sizes 307 x 409(height x diameter, in), net weight 270 grams, total weight 540 grams.

Can sizes 603 x 700(height x diameter, in), net weight 1,500 grams, total weight 2900 grams.

8 oz. Bottle, net weight 100-120 grams, total weight 225 grams.

16 oz. Bottle, net weight 220-240 grams, total weight 450 grams.

31

6) Adding brine

After filling baby corn in containers, water and brine are added in cans in the proportion of 2:98

(brine 2%, water 98%) together with citric acid 0.05%-0.1%.

The temperature of added brine is about 40-60 0C. It should have the space above the content

about 3/16 inches for 8 oz bottle, 4/16 inches for 300 can and 16 oz bottle, 5/16 inches for 307

can, and 6/16 inches for 603 can.

7) Exhaust process

To exhaust air until the beginning temperature of 70-75 0

C for small can is achieved 75-80 0C for

603 can, and 68-72 0C for bottle.

8) Seaming

9) Heating

Sterilization process, temperature 250 0F, pressure 15 pounds/sq. inch, takes 25 minutes for

300x407 can and 8 oz. bottle, 30 minutes for 307 × 409 grams and 16 oz. bottle, 50 minutes for

603x700 can at temperature 240 0F and pressure 10 pounds/sq. inch.

10) Cooling process

Cooling is done until temperature in the can is 35-40 0C or 95-105

0F. Cut out pH 5.2-5.6.

32

Figure 13: Production process diagram of canned baby corn

Peeled Baby Corn

Cleaning

Boiling

Soaking Grading

Container

Sterile by streaming

Containing

Adding brine

Exhaust Lid covering Heating

Cooling

Quality Inspection

Labeling Packaging Marketing

33

Figure 14: Export procedures for baby corn from Thailand

Commercial Registration

(Department of Commerce Registration)

Value added tax registration

(Revenue Department)

Standard products

1.Bleachedjute 2.Corn

3. Cluster bean 4.Cassava product

5.Kapok 6.Processed teak

7.Sorghum 8. Black skilled green pea

9.Green chick pea 10.Ground fish

Obtaining export signature card

(Customs Department)

Standard products General products Product in control

Export registration or

export quota request

(Department of

Foreign Trade)

Registration of exporters of 10

standard products (Office of

Product Standard, the Department

of Foreign Trade)

Customs procedure

(The Customs Department)

Shipment

34

10. IMPLEMENTATION OF GLOBAL GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE (GAP)

10.1 Good Agricultural Practice Standard

Protection of the health of consumers requires effective food safety control systems. These

systems must be implemented on the entire chain of food production from farm to table. The

control and inspection of the food safety implementation in Thailand is carried out by two parties,

including both the official governmental sector and non-governmental parties associated with the

chain of food production. The governmental sector is responsible for legislating the legal

framework relating to food production as well as the augmentation of the other sponsoring

programs for the food producers.

Food safety control can be achieved through the implementation of a safety and appropriate food

production system, of which there are principles or guidelines for taking caution in each step of

the food production. These frameworks include Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), Good

Hygienic Practice (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical

Control Points (HACCP). These guidelines are then to be used as a basis for practice for the

voluntary non-official fresh food producers participating in the program and for the government

authority to monitor and enact necessary legal action. The food safety control for fresh produce in

Thailand is divided into four major categories including farm, grading/packing establishment,

exporting and retailing. The details of those categories in both official and non-official control

aspects are discussed below.

10.1.1 Farm

a) Official control

Since 1992, Thailand has enacted and enforced the Hazardous Substance Act which regulates the

authorization and registration of pesticides, declaration of pesticides prohibited for registration,

importing or selling. The purpose of this Hazardous Substance Act is to provide safety in the

application of pesticides for both farmers and consumers. The enforcement of this Act is carried

out during the pesticide registration process, which is a step before the pesticide can be

distributed or sold. Moreover, this Act empowers governmental officials to control and inspect

pesticide at ports of entry, manufacturing plants, and retailers. Thus, allowing governmental

officials to control the quality of pesticides sold to the farmers while providing safety to the

agricultural products and the farmers who use the pesticide.

To protect the health of consumer in Thailand, the Thai government enacted the Food Act in the

year 1979. By the Food Act, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) established the Maximum

Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues on each type of food and agricultural produce. The

purpose of the enactment of this regulation is to protect the consumer. However, the investigation

and the legal action based upon this Act have been directed toward the trading of food rather than

the farm which is less pragmatic.

35

b) Non-official control

The safety of fresh produce production results from the appropriate agricultural practice by the

farmers at the farming level. The non-official control is therefore essential for the safety of fresh

produce production. Any of the programs and frameworks that would aid farmers to understand

and implement a good agricultural practice is deemed necessary. In this light, Thailand's Ministry

of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) has begun to promote and encourage farmers to

comply with GAP guidelines for several years. In the year 2003, the MOAC declared the

standards of GAP for Food Crops. The farmers are, then, able to use these criteria in the

cultivation to ensure the safety and quality of the food crop. Additionally, the government

authority is able to use the GAP for Food Crops as a basis to evaluate the agricultural farm before

awarding certification. To enhance the precision of the criteria, the MOAC will declare the

standardized GAP for specific economically significant fresh produce such as durian, mango,

longan, asparagus, chilli peppers etc.

Thailand's MOAC is in the process of promoting the standardized GAP to farmers all over the

country. A large number of farmers have been persuaded to join the GAP. Those who are ready

to join the GAP system will then be registered with the MOAC. The GAP system is planned, at

present, to target 27 Food Crops. It is expected that there will be registered 325,000 farmers by

the end of the year 2004. Since the increase of the auditing program for the farmers' standardized

GAP, report in June 2004 indicated that 5,225 farmers have been certified. It is projected that the

number of certified farmers will reach 56,000 by the end of the year 2004. Hence, the

certification process will generate greater number of farmers who engage in appropriate and safe

agricultural practices as well as help increase the amount of safe food crop in the market. This, in

turn, will further benefit both the consumers and those who engage in business ventures dealing

with agricultural products.

10.1.2 Grading/packing establishment

a) Official control

The grading and packing of fresh produce can be done at the farm level, by the farmer, under

GAP system or at the manufacturing level under GMP system. According to Thailand's Food Act

(1979), any grading/packing establishment categorized as a food industry must receive a permit

from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) prior to the beginning of the production process. To

be eligible for the permit, the grading/packing establishment must pass a hygiene inspection

performed by an MOPH's officer.

b) Non-official control

The most important non-official food safety control measure at the manufacturing level is the

promotion of GMP and HACCP system. The implementation of these two systems is based on

the Codex standards, particularly the Codex General Principle of Food Hygiene and Codex Code

of Hygiene Practice for Production and Handling of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Accordingly,

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has initiated a certification program for fresh

produce grading establishment. Any certified fresh produce grading/packing establishment that

36

passes inspection will receive GMP certification. To further assure the promotion of the total

food safety control, the MOAC has encouraged fresh produce grading/packing establishments to

create a network between grading/packing establishment and GAP certified farms. This

programme also entails the inspection and evaluation of both farms and the grading/packing

establishments. There is the collection of samples from both farms and the grading/packing plants

for laboratory analysis. Those who pass the standardized evaluation will be certified and allowed

to show the mark "Q" Food Safety. Since the augmentation of the program, 35 fresh produce

businesses are certified so far.

10.1.3 Exporting

a) Official control

On April 11, 2004, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce, in accordance with the "Exporting and

Importing Goods into the Kingdom of Thailand Act," declared that 12 economically significant

fresh fruits and vegetables must be inspected for pesticide residues prior to exportation to the

United States, Japan, the European Community, the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Malaysia,

and Singapore. These fresh fruits and vegetables include mangosteen, durian, mango, tamarind,

lychee, longan, pomelo, baby corn, okra, ginger, and chilli peppers. The Department of

Agriculture (DOA) is designated as the responsible party for inspecting the pesticide residue in

the aforementioned fresh produce. The fresh produce exporter is allowed to proceed with the

exportation only if the produce passes the inspection by being tested against the standard, and

then receives a certification awarded by the DOA. According to regulation, the exporter must

contact and inform the DOA prior to exportation. The DOA's officer will collect samples from

the exporter's packing house. The collected samples will then be analyzed for pesticide residues.

In the past year alone, the DOA has analyzed more than 20,000 fresh produce samples. The

results indicate a trend for the overall decrease in contamination levels of samples. The number

of fresh produce samples with residues over maximum residue limit (MRL) has declined from

nine percent in the year 2003 to approximately four percent in the year 2004. Up until August

2004, none of the exports that passed inspection have been rejected by the destination country.

This policy also promotes awareness among both producers and exporters about food safety at all

stages of fresh produce production particularly on the control of food safety at the farm level.

While this policy has boosted the importing countries' confidence, the cost for residue analysis is

substantial and imposes difficulties for exporters. Therefore, the MOAC has decided to employ

the non-official control, for exporting, to alleviate the burden of both the government and

exporters.

b) Non-official control

The MOAC's food safety programme for the entire chain of fresh produce production has

increased the confidence of importing countries and domestic market in both the chemical and

microbiological safety of Thailand's fresh produce. The MOAC has set criteria that, in effect,

lessen the burden of residue analysis before exporting the fresh produce; 100% inspection will be

truncated to only 10% random sampling inspection for any food safety certified exporter.

37

10.1.4 Retailing

a) Official control

The hygienic and sanitary practice codes for fresh markets, retailers, restaurants, street food

vendors are indicated in the Thai's Public Health Act (1992). Moreover, the Thai's Food Act

(1979) has provided regulations which specify that the food, including fresh fruits and

vegetables, sold in the fresh markets or other retailers must be safe from chemical or

microbiological contamination that may cause diseases or health risks to the consumers. The

Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is in charge of the investigation, inspection, and enforcing the

fresh markets, retailers, street vendors to comply with the hygienic and sanitary codes. The

MOPH also has authority to close down, issue an order, or punish by law any business venture

that violates the law. Additionally, the MOPH is authorized to randomly collect samples of food

from these businesses to analyze for food contamination that may be harmful to the consumers.

Nonetheless, the implementation of these laws rather focuses on the promotion and increase the

awareness of the businesses to be cautious of the sanitary and hygienic practice than taking a

legal action or pursuing a punishment stated by law.

b) Non-official control

The MOPH has augmented programs to encourage retailers, restaurants and other food services

to take more caution on the practice of food safety and hygiene. The program include the

inspection and certification to elevate the status of food service business such as:

"Clean Food Good Taste" program: This program started in the year 1999. It includes all

over the country inspection of food services and street vendors on the hygienic and

sanitary standards. Since the augmentation of the "Clean Food Good Taste" program, the

MOPH has certified and awarded the "Clean Food Good Taste" mark to more than 30,000

food services, which is almost 30% of the overall food service business.

Most international Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) manuals that have been published have

concentrated heavily on the food safety component of GAP. Some have only addressed the

microbiological contamination issue. The reason for this is that chemical contamination is

covered extensively by Codex requirements. Food safety is an important component of GAP and

some consider it the minimum basis for GAP recognition. A number of relevant GAP documents

are included in this section as examples of what has been produced by a range of countries.

10.2 QA System

In practice, Thailand has developed a GAP based QA system (Q system). A modified manual is

called Inspection Procedures for Certification Quality Management System: Good Agricultural

Practice (GAP), Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

38

10.2.1 Objective

To set standards for the inspection for Certification of Quality Management System: Good

Agricultural Practice (GAP), Department of Agriculture.

10.2.2 Scope of quality management system: Good Agricultural Practice, Department

of Agriculture

This is to apply to the systemic management of production processes for safe, pest-free,

consumer-satisfying quality agricultural products.

10.2.3 Inspection for certification of quality management system: Good Agricultural

Practice

Farmers in Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice, Department of Agriculture,

will be assessed at the following three levels, namely production processes for safe products,

processes for safe and pest-free products and processes for safe, pest-free and consumer-

satisfying quality products.

The inspection for Certification of Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice for

agricultural products in 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 must follow the Principles, Criteria, and Assessment

items 1−5, 1−6 and 1−8 respectively as shown in Table 13.

Table 13: Principles, criteria and assessments for quality management system: Good

Agricultural Practice

Principles

Criteria Assessments

1. Water source Water source not contaminated with

hazardous substances and microbes

Assess the environment –

If possible risks exist,

conduct water analysis.

2. Cultivation site Land with no hazardous substances

and microbes that may cause

residues or contamination

Assess the environment –

If possible risks exist,

conduct soil analysis.

3. Use of agricultural

hazardous substances

• If chemicals are used in production

processes, instructions on labels, or

instructions or recommendations by

the Department of Agriculture must

be followed.

• Chemicals must be used in

accordance with the list of chemicals

allowed by trading counterpart

countries.

• Banned chemicals must not be

used.

• Check the storage of

agricultural hazardous

substances.

• Check the record of

usage of agricultural

hazardous substances, and,

if in doubt, collect samples

for residue analysis.

4. Product storage • The storage must be clean, well- • Check premises,

39

Principles

Criteria Assessments

and on-site

transportation

ventilated and protect

products from contamination

with foreign or hazardous

substances, or disease carriers.

• Equipment and

transportation vehicles must

be clean, and not

contaminated with hazardous

substances.

• Product transportation must

be carried out with care.

equipment, containers and

product transportation

methods

5. Data record

• Use of any hazardous

substances must be recorded.

• Investigation of and

termination of plant diseases

or pests must be recorded.

• Management for quality

agricultural production must

be recorded.

• Check data records and

forms.

6. Production for

plant disease- and

pest-free products

• Damage caused by plant diseases

and pests must be investigated and

must be treated if the damage at

economic level is found.

• Harvested products must be free

plant diseases and pets. Those

with plant diseases or pests must

be isolated.

• Check the records of

investigation and treatment

of plant diseases and pests

• Examine the isolation

results

7. Management of

quality agricultural

production

• Practicing and managing

according to the production

control system

• Non-conforming products

must be isolated.

• Check the records of

practice and management.

• Examine the isolation

results.

8. Harvesting and

post harvest handling

• Harvesting at the appropriate

period according to the production

control system.

• Harvesting equipment and

containers must be clean. The

harvesting method must not affect

the product quality, or cause any

contamination and make the

products unsafe for consumption.

• Check the records of

harvesting and post-harvest

handling.

• Examine the equipment,

container, procedures and

methods.

40

10.2.4 Inspection methods and procedures

Planning the inspection

The Inspection Team sets out the inspection plan, time frame and scope of the inspection and

assessment criteria for Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice. These are to be

recorded in the GAP Inspection Form.

Scheduling the inspection

- The Inspection Team leader liaises with relevant internal and external officers to

schedule the inspection.

- Notify the farmers about the inspection plan and schedule 7 days prior to the inspection.

- In the event that there is a reason to believe that advanced notification of

the inspection may lead to the false information or there may be a cover up, the

Inspection Team may proceed without advanced notification. This must be recorded in

the GAP Inspection Form.

Conducting the inspection

- The Inspection Team must introduce themselves and produce their identification cards

to the farmer or the appointee each time they arrive for inspection at the production site.

- The farmer or the appointee is to be informed of the objectives and scope, as well as the

procedures and duration, of the inspection.

- In case of insufficient information required for inspection, the Inspection Team may

request additional information from the farmer or the appointee.

- Examine the corrective actions made to non-compliant items reported in the previous

inspection.

- Carry out the inspection with the presence of the farmer or the appointee at all time.

- Record the assessment results and non-compliant items in the GAP Inspection Form

- At the end of inspection, the Inspection Team must arrange a meeting in which the

assessment results are presented to the farmer or the appointee. The farmer can clarify

the non-compliant items and seek advice for improvement, and discuss the schedule for

corrective actions.

- The Inspection Team is to list out the non-compliant items and summarize them in the

GAP Non-Compliant Form, and to report the inspection results in the Preliminary GAP

Inspection Form. Both forms are complete when they are signed by both the Inspection

Team and the farm owner. Copies of the documents are to be given to the farm owner for

record.

41

Notification of Inspection Results

The farmer must be notified the results of inspection for GAP Certification in writing within 15

working days after completion of the inspection. The farmer is required to provide the details

about how the corrective actions will be taken to the Office of Research and Development within

15 days of receipt of inspection results. If the farmer does not provide the corrective action details

within the specified period, it is considered that the farmer agrees to make the required corrective

actions indicated by the Inspection Team.

Frequency and number of inspections

The frequency and the number of inspections for GAP Certification depends on the inspection

issues and the non-compliant items requiring corrective actions. The Inspection Team must

follow the procedures listed in 4.3 for each inspection.

Types of Inspection

There are 4 types of inspections that can be chosen, depending on each situation, by the

Inspection Team.

(1) Full Inspection − The Inspection Team must assess the farm for all principles. This is to be

used with the farms that have never been certified or to be re-certified or their certification is

revoked.

(2) Partial Inspection − this type of inspection is used with the farms that have been continually

certified. The Inspection Team is to examine some indicators of Quality Management

System: Good Agricultural Practice. But if any breach of regulations is found, the Inspection

Team may use a full inspection.

(3) Follow-up Inspection − this type of inspection is used to follow up the corrective actions for

non-compliant items reported in the previous inspection.

(4) Special Case Inspection − The Inspection Team can conduct an inspection if there is any

problem or any complaint. The inspection will emphasize on the problematic principle(s).

The Inspection Team can conduct a special case inspection without advanced notification.

10.2.5 GAP inspection reports

Preliminary GAP Inspection Report Information to be included

1) The name and address of the farmer

2) The farm identification number

3) The date of the previous and current inspections

4) The name and position of the inspectors

5) The name of the farmer or the person appointed by the farm owner

42

6) The purposes of the inspection

7) The scope of the inspection

8) The sampling (if applicable)

9) The farm‟s good practice in Quality Management System: Good Agricultural

Practice

10) The corrective actions for previous non-compliant items

11) The non-compliant items reported in the previous inspection that have not

been corrected, and the schedule for corrections

12) The non-compliant items reported in the current inspection and the schedule

for corrections

- The Preliminary Inspection Report is to be prepared for the farmer.

- The Report must be truthful, clear and concise.

- Comments on the draft report are to be sought from all the members of the Inspection

Team.

- The Report is to be signed by the Inspection Team.

- An official letter notifying the inspection results, along with the Inspection

- Report is to be sent to the farmer within 15 working days after the inspection is

complete.

- Final GAP Inspection Report

When the Inspection Team has completed the inspection,

- The Inspection Team is to fill out the Summary GAP Form. The results must be in detail

including the major and minor items requiring corrective actions.

- The summary of results and recommendations, along with the inspection documentation,

is to be sent to the Inspection Unit within 3 days after the final inspection.

10.2.6 Submission of final GAP inspection report

The Inspection Unit is to compile and submit the information about the farmer and the

inspection results received from the Inspection Team, to the GAP Certification Unit (CB) within

3 days after receipt of report from the Inspection Team.

10.2.7 Document and data control

Document control is essential in the Quality Management System: Good Agricultural

Practice because the documents can be used as evidence, and it indicates the reliability of the

Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice. Document control is useful for

searching and tracing of data. Document control must be carried out as following.

- Farm identification system is to be set up, and coding system (alphabets or combinations of

alphabets and numbers) used for document classification.

- Permission must be granted before the documents in the Quality Management System: Good

Agricultural Practice, are used.

43

- The document content is to be revised and updated, if necessary, prior to seeking permission for

use of the documents.

- Standard operating procedures must be established for document revision.

- The distribution of documents must be recorded as to, to whom and when the documents are

distributed, the reasons and the quantity.

10.3 Criteria and Conditions for Farm Certification Quality Management System

10.3.1 Objectives

1.1 To describe the eligibility criteria for farms and farmers to apply for Farm Certification for

Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice (GAP).

1.2 To describe duties, responsibilities of farmers and procedures in the Quality Management

Program: Good Agricultural Practice

10.3.2 Scope

The document describes qualifications, duties, responsibilities and practice of farmers in applying

for farm certification. It also outlines the management and improvement of production processes

in the farm, in compliance with Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice. The

eligibility criteria for farms are also described.

10.3.3 Eligibility criteria for farmers to apply for farm certification

- Must be the owner or the holder of production right, or the person authorized by the owner or

the right holder.

- Must be listed in the Thai Citizen Register, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry

of Interior

- Be knowledgeable, competent and understand the production processes as specified in the GAP

Application Form

- Agree with policy and requirements as specified in Quality Management System: Good

Agricultural Practice documents.

- Must attend the training course for Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice, as

indicated by the Department of Agriculture

10.3.4 Duties and responsibilities

- Farmers must carry out the production procedures and improve the farm and production

processes, in compliance with the Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice.

44

- Farmers must manage the farm and oversee the production processes, in compliance with the

Quality Management System: Good Agricultural Practice.

- If there are any changes in the farm, e.g. change of operators at any point of processes, etc,

much attention must be paid to that point. If in doubt, the farmer can seek advice from the

Advisory or the Inspection Team.

10.3.5 Application procedures for certification of quality management system: Good

Agricultural Practice

- The office to lodge the GAP Application Form.

- Documents required for the GAP Application Form

- Copy of Personal Identification Card of the applicant or authorized person

- Copy of House Registration Certificate

- The farmer fills out the GAP Application Form and lodges it along with the required documents

- The officer receives the application along with required documents, gathers and sends the list

the eligible farmers to 1) the Certification Unit (CB) for Quality Management System: Good

Agricultural Practice, 2) the Advisory Board and the Inspection Team in the region for further

action

- The farmer is notified of the schedule for advice (if any) and for inspection, and waits for advice

and for inspection.

10.3.6 Eligibility criteria for farms to apply for certification

Eligible farms must be

- The site with no hazardous substances that could cause residues or contamination in agricultural

products. Water supply must come from the non-contaminated sources.

- Single cultural plantation or farm - plantation or farm with one type of plant or,

- Combined-cultural plantation or farm - plantation or farm with more than two types of plant,

and one type of plant comprises more than 50% of total plants. If the certification is applied for

one type of plant, the farmer must have strategies to ensure that the procedures in Quality

Management System: Good Agricultural Practice for this plant will not be affected by any

treatment to the other type of plant.

- Mixed cultural plantation or farm - plantation or farm with many types of plant, and one type of

plant comprises less than 50% of total plants in a field. If the certification is applied for one type

45

of plant, the farmer must have strategies to ensure that the procedures in Quality Management

System: Good Agricultural Practice for this plant will not be affected by any treatment to other

types of plant.

- For fruit tree, the cultivation site must not be less than 3 rai, and for annual or perennial plants,

the site must not be less than 1 rai (Rai = unit of area, 1 rai equivalent to 1,600 square metres, or

0.4 acre or 1ha = 6.25rai).

Figure 15: Processes of checking on toxic in vegetables for export

Collect sample from a

selected factory

One step service center of

academic keeps the sample at

the select factory of

containing package

The entrepreneur receives the

certificate at the office of

agricultural research and

development region 1-8 or at

one step service

If result of analysis passed the

certificate is issued at the office

of agriculture research and

development region 1-8

To analyze the sample at the

office of agriculture research

and development region 1-8

To analyze the sample at the

dangerous matter building

The office of agriculture

research and development in

region those are responsible to

keep the sample at the select

factory of containing package

To send the result of the

analysis at the one stop

services

Select sample from a selected

factory from other providences

The entrepreneur

To inform before gathering 1-2 days

The entrepreneur sends the sample

at one stop service

Monday – Friday 8.30am-5.00pm

An official holiday 8.30am-3.00pm

Lists of the prohibited toxic chemicals in baby corn

1. Aldrin

2. Amonicorb

3. 4-aminodiphenyl

4. Amitrole

5. Aramite

6. Asbestos-amosite

7. Azinphos-ethyl

8. Azinphos-methyl

9. Benzidine

10. Beta-HCH (1,3,5,/2,4,6-hexachloro-cyclohexane)

11. BHC or HCH (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-cyclohexane)

12. Binapacryl

13. Bis (chloromethyl) ether

14. Bromophos

15. Bromophos-ethyl

16. Cadmium and cadmium compounds

17. Calcium arsenate

18. Captofol

19. Carbon tetrachloride

20. Chlordane

21. Chlordecone

22. Chlordimeform

23. Chlorobenzilate

24. Chlorophonols

25. Chlorthiophos

26. Copper arsenate hydroxide

27. Cycloheximide

28. Cyhexatin

29. Daminozide

30. DBCP (1,2 –dibromo-3-chloropropane)

31. DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl ethane))

32. Demephion

33. Demeton

34. o-dichlorobenzene

35. Dieldrin

36. Dimefox

37. Dinoseb

38. Dinoterb

39. Disulfoton

40. DNOC (4,6-dinitro-o-cresol)

41. EDB (1,2-dibromoethane)

42. Endrin

43. Ethyl hexyleneglyneglycol (ethyl hexane diol)

44. Ethylene dichloride

45. Ethylene oxide (1,2-epoxyethane)

47

46. Fensulfothion

47. Fentin

48. Fluoroacetamide

49. Fluoroacetate sodium

50. Fonofos

51. Heptachlor

52. Hexachlorobenzene

53. Lead arsenate

54. Leptophos

55. Lindane (>99% gamma-HCH or gamma-BHC)

56. MCPB (4-(4-chloro-o-tolyloxy)butyric acid)

57. Mecoprop

58. Mephosfolan

59. Mercury compounds

60. Methamidophos

61. Mevinphos

62. MGK repellent-11

63. Mirex

64. Monocrotophos

65. Napthylamine

66. 4-nitro diphenyl

67. Nitrofen

68. Parathion

69. Paris green

70. Pentachlorophenate sodium or Pentachlorophenoxide sodium

71. Pentachlorophenol

72. Phenothiol

73. Phorate

74. Phosphamidon

75. Phosphorus

76. Polybrominated biphenyls, PBBs

77. Polychlorinated triphenyls, PCTs

78. Prothoate

79. Pyrinuron (piriminil)

80. Safrole

81. Schradan

82. Sodium arsenite

83. Sodium chlorate

84. Strobane polychloroterpenes

85. Sulfotep

86. 2,4,5-T ((2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetic acid)

87. 2,4,5-TCP (2,4,5-trichlorophenol

88. TDE or DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (4-chloropheny) ethane)

89. TEPP (tetraethyl pyrophosphate)

90. 2,4,5-TP ((±) -2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyl propionic acid)

91. Thallium sulfate

48

92. Toxaphene or camphechlor

93. Tri (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate)

94. Vinyl chloride monomer (monochloroethene)

10.4 CODEX Standard for Baby Corn (CODEX STAN 188-1993)

10.4.1 Definition of produce

This standard applies to the cobs, without the silk and anthers, of commercial varieties of

baby corn (corn inflorescence) grown from Zea mays L. of the Gramineae family,

separated from silk, husk and anthers, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after

preparation and packaging. Baby corn for industrial processing is excluded.

10.4.2 Provisions concerning quality

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed,

the cobs of the baby corn must be:

- whole;

- fresh in appearance;

- sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for

consumption is excluded;

- clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter;

- free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal

from cold storage;

- free of any foreign smell and/or taste;

- practically free of damage caused by pests;

- practically free of silk.

The cut that is made on the base of the cobs should be clean and well defined. A

slight discoloration of the cut surface due to storage is acceptable.

The development and condition of the baby corn must be such as to enable it:

- to withstand transport and handling, and

- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

Governments, when indicating the acceptance of the Codex Standard for Baby Corn,

should notify the Commission which provisions of the Standard would be accepted for

application at the point of import, and which provisions would be accepted for

application at the point of export.

49

10.4.3 Classification

The cobs of baby corn are classified in three classes defined below:

“Extra” Class

The cobs of baby corn in this class must be well trimmed, free of husk, stalk and silk,

intact and of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or

commercial type. They must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight

superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce,

the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

Class-I

The cobs of baby corn in this class must be well trimmed, free of husk and stalk and of

good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The

following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided these do not affect the

general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the

package:

- slight defects in shape, colour and texture;

- slight defects in irregular arrangement of undeveloped kernels (ovules);

- slight defects on the surface due to bruising, scratches or other mechanical

damage. The total area affected shall not exceed 5 per cent per cob;

- silk attached to and/or broken from the cob shall be minimal without affecting

the appearance.

Class-II

This class includes the cobs of baby corn which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher

classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 earlier. The

following defects may be allowed, provided the cobs of baby corn retain their essential

characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

- defects in shape, colour and texture;

- defects in irregular arrangement of undeveloped kernels (ovules);

- defects on the surface due to bruising, scratches or other mechanical damage.

The total area affected shall not exceed 10 per cent per cob;

- silk attached to and/or broken from the cob shall be minimal without affecting

the appearance.

10.4.4 Provisions concerning sizing

Size is determined by the length of the cob of baby corn. The length for A size is 5.0-7.0

cm, B is 7.0-9.0 cm. and C is 9.0-12.0 cm. For all sizes, the minimum width should not

be less than 1.0 cm and the maximum width not more than 2.0 cm.

50

10.4.5 Provision concerning tolerances

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for produce not

satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

Quality tolerances

“Extra” Class Five per cent by number or weight of cobs of baby corn not satisfying the

requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within

the tolerances of that class.

Class-I Ten per cent by number or weight of cobs of baby corn not satisfying the

requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within

the tolerances of that class. In the case of cobs of baby corn with incompletely removed

husk and stalk, only 5 per cent by number or weight of 0.5 cm long of the husk and stalk

is allowed.

Class-II Ten percent by number or weight of cobs of baby corn satisfying neither the

requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce

affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.

In the case of cobs of baby corn with incompletely removed husk and stalk, only 5 per

cent by number or weight of 0.5 cm long of the husk and stalk is allowed.

Size tolerances

For “Extra” Class, 5 per cent; and for Class I or Class II 10 per cent; by number or

weight, of cobs of baby corn not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing, but falling

within the class immediately above and/or below those indicated in Section 3.

10.4.6 Provisions concerning presentation

Uniformity

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only cobs of baby corn of the

same origin, quality and size. The visible part of the contents of the package must be

representative of the entire contents.

Packaging

The cobs of baby corn must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.

The materials used inside the package must be new, clean, and of a quality such as to

avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials,

particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the

printing or labeling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. The cobs of baby corn shall

be packed in each container in compliance with the Recommended International Code of

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Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (CAC/RCP

44-1995).

Description of containers

The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance characteristics

to ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving of the cobs of baby corn. Packages

must be free of all foreign matter and smell.

Marking or labeling

Consumers packages

For the purposes of this Standard, this includes recycled material of food-grade quality.

In addition to the requirements of the Codex General Standard for the Labeling of Pre-

packaged

Foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985, Rev. 2-1999), the following specific provisions apply:

Nature of produce

If the produce is not visible from the outside, each package shall be labeled as to the

name of the produce and may be labeled as to the name of the variety.

Non-retail containers

Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side,

legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside, or in the documents

accompanying the shipment. For produce transported in bulk these particulars must

appear on a document accompanying the goods.

Identification

Name and address of Exporter, Packer and/or Dispatcher. Identification code (optional).

Nature of produce

Name of produce if the contents are not visible from the outside. Name of variety and/or

commercial type (optional).

Origin of produce

Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national, regional or local place

name.

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Commercial identification

- Class;

- Size (size code);

- Net weight (optional).

Official inspection mark (optional)

10.4.7 Contaminants

Heavy metals

The cobs of baby corn shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals

established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.

Pesticide residues

The cobs of baby corn shall comply with those maximum residue limits established by

the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.

Hygiene

It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this Standard be

prepared and handled in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended

International Code of Practice - General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969,

Rev. 3-1997), and other relevant Codex texts such as Codes of Hygienic Practice and

Codes of Practice. The produce should comply with any microbiological criteria

established in accordance with the Principles for the Establishment and Application of

Microbiological Criteria for Foods (CAC/GL 21-1997).

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11. BABY CORN FARMING/BUSINESS STRUCTURE

Most baby corn productions for export are under contract farming system. This involves

factory, broker and farmers. The details of this system given below are one of the baby

corn company, selected by the Ministry of Agriculture as an outstanding company in

supporting and developing farm communities.

11.1 Farm operation

• Organizing groups of growers in selected areas to grow and supply premium fresh

produces to Swift‟s pack-houses.

• Risk assessments are carried out on all major factors from history of land use to

soil and water condition and to any possibility of cross contamination.

• Three types of farming practices by members are:

• Conventional farming under EUREP GAP;

• Agro-chemical free farming;

• Organic farming.

Figure 16: Business structure for fresh and frozen baby corn factory

11.2 Farm auditing

• Company‟s agronomists conduct regular internal auditing of members‟ farms.

• Independent internal auditing is carried out by other agronomists from head office

• They are trained and certified on HACCP system and EUREP GAP auditing.

• Yearly certification on EUREP GAP and organic farming practices are carried out

by licensed CB.

Board of Directors

Managing Director

Research & Development

Division

QC & Laboratory

Division

Business Department

General Manager

Operation

Admin & Finance

Department

Agricultural & Supply

Department

Production Department

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11.3 Collection and grading

• Collection stations of the company are set right in the growing areas.

• Weighing and grading are transparently carried out at the stations.

• Labeling of plot-codes and growers‟ names is part of the company‟s traceability

system.

11.4 Pack-house and processing

• They are purposed built pack-houses with GMP certification.

• Different types of facilities are designed to accommodate different processing.

• Processing of fresh produce is under the HACCP and BRC Higher Level systems.

• Processing of organic and conventional produce is separated.

11.5 Community development

• The operation of the company generates direct income of over Baht 300 millions

to farm communities per year.

• Pricing policy reduces risk to their growers to the minimum. Their guaranteed

price is much higher than the market price.

• Financial support and transfer of technology from the company help in improving

yields and incomes of our growers.

• The company has actively participated in development programmes with local

community, temples, schools.

11.6 Environment

• This company acquires supply only from members‟ farms and cooperatives. The

farming practices of the company ensure that environment and ecology are

protected.

• Price incentive, interest free loans, and other financial supports are provided in

assisting growers to change to EUREP GAP and ORGANIC farming practices.

• Pilot farms have been set up in different areas with Agricultural University and

with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote organic and GAP farming.

11.7 Ethical trading

• The company has develop a “Win-Win” policy that all parties, from growers to

workers to consumers and to the company, have their fair shares from the

operation

• Under age worker or “child labour” is not allowed in their company.

• Free medication, social security, are provided to all workers. The company goes

beyond what is required by law to provide better welfare to all workers such as

longer period with full pay on maternity leave.

• On over time, one and a half time normal wage is paid on normal working day.

On holiday two times is paid

• Free vacation and free transportation to and from work are provided

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• Interest free loans are provided for employees who are in need

• All growers get guarantee prices for their produces on long term contracts.

Interest free loans are provided to improve their farms

• Scholarship are provided to children of the company‟s workers

• All workers, growers, and other suppliers are paid exactly on time

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12. COMMERCIAL THAI COMPANIES

There are numbers of companies involve in baby corn production are processing. The list

below given names and contact addresses of some of the commercial companies.

Company: River Kwai International Food Industry Co., Ltd.

Address: 21st floor, Thaniya plaza, 52 Silom Rd., Suriywongse, Bangrak, Bangkok,

10500, Thailand

Tel: (662) 231-2934

Fax: (662) 231-2944

E-mail: info@rkifood.com

Company: THAI AGRI FOODS PUBLIC CO., LTD. Address: 155/1 MOO 1, THEPARAK RD., BANGSAOTHING KING A.

BANGSAOTHONG, SAMUTPRAKARN, THAILAND

Tel: (662) 02-3154171-6

Fax: (662) 02-315469,315-4188

E-mail: marketing@thaiagri.com

Company: AMPRO INTERTRADE CO., LTD.

Address: 328 CHAROENNAKORN 40, CHAROENNAKORN RD.

BANGLUMPOOLANG, KLONGSAN, BANGKOK 10600, Thailand

Tel: (662) 437 6708

Fax: (662) 437 5957

E-mail: sales@ampro.co.th, ampro@ksc.th.com

Company: SUPER J. INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.

Address: 77/139, SINN SATHORN TOWER, 33rd FLOOR, KRUNGTHONBURI

ROAD, KLONGTHONSAI, KLONGSARN, BANGKOK 10600, Thailand

Tel: (662)440-0891-4

Fax: (662) 440-0890

E-mail:jtanking@ksc.th.com

Company: ERAWAN FOODS COMPANY LIMITED

Address: 127/21 PANJATHANI TOWER, FLOOR 16, NONSEE, YANNAWA,

BANGKOK 10120, Thailand

Tel: (662) 681-0251-9

Fax : (662) 681-0250

E-mail: contact@erawanfoods.com

Company: ABC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.

Address: 89 CHAROENNAKORN, CHAROENNAKORN ROAD,

BANGLUMPULANG, KLONGSARN, BANGKOK, 10600, Thailand

Tel: (662) 8624841-5

Fax : (662) 862-4847

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E-mail: greatco@abc.co.th

Company: NORTHERN FOOD CO.,LTD.

Address: 60/38 MOO 7, SOI MITRUNGROENGVILLA,BOROMRAJCHONNEE RD.,

TALINGCHAN BANGKOK 10170, Thailand

Tel: (662) 880-7284-6

Fax : (662) 880-7287

E-mail: northern@ksc.th.com

Company: M-PATHY INTERTRADE CO., LTD.

Address: 50/28 MOO 5, BANGSITHONG, BANGKRUAY, NONTHABURI 11130,

Thailand

Tel: (662) 886-3066-7

Fax : (662) 866-3065

E-mail: mpathy@loxinfo.co.th

Company: Pan Asia (1981) Co Ltd.

Address: 814 Soi Sukhumvit 50, Prakhanong, Bangkok 10250, THAILAND

Tel: (66) 2 332-0023-36

Fax : (66) 2 331-1971, 331-1972

Company: Thai Wei-Chuan Co., Ltd.

Address: 52/6 F3 Silom Condominium, Soi Saladaeng 2, Silom Road, Bangkok 10500,

Thailand.

Tel: (662) 2665877-8

Fax : (662) 2665879

Company: Pan Asia (1981) Co Ltd.

Address: 814 Soi Sukhumvit 50, Prakhanong, Bangkok 10250, THAILAND

Tel: (66) 2 332-0023-36

Fax : (66) 2 331-1971, 331-1972

Company: Siam Growth Co., Ltd.

Address: 3 Soi Charansanitwong Road, Bangbamru, Bangkok, Thailand 10700

Tel: 66 2 9772000

Fax : 66 2 9772002

Company: Fresh Partners (Thailand)

Address: 87 Wireless Road, Bangkok, Thailand

Tel: 66 18204658

Fax : 66 2 654 0 326

Company: Asia Exotic Corporation Ltd.

Address: 600/775 Moo 14, Mooban Sewali Soi 2/1, Paholyothin Rd., Kukot, Lamlookka,

Pathumtani, Thailand 12130

Tel: 66 2 9221210

Fax : 66 2 9221211

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Company: CK Interbiz Co. Ltd.

Address: 394/752 Rm. 852, Moo 3, Phetkasem Rd., Bangkae, Bangkok, Thailand 10160

Tel: 66 2 8039265

Fax : 66 2 8039153

Company: Vachamon Food Limited

Address: 1332/1-2 Prachachum, In Front Soi 39, Bangsua, Bangsua, Bangkok, Thailand

10800

Tel: 66 2 9517641

Fax : 66 2 9517571

Company: PechSiam Daily Foods Company Limited

Address : 110/49 Moo 7, Bang Na Trad Roadd, Bangchalong,, Bangplee, Samutprakan,

Thailand

Tel: 66 1 2788812

Fax: 66 2 7522775

Website: http://www.pechsiam.com

Company: Liberty Fruits Co., Ltd

Address : Worachak, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand 10100

Tel: 66 2 6215949

Fax: 66 2 6215949

Company: R. S. Foods Tech (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Address : 54 Soi Petkasem 4, Petkasem Road, Watta, Bangkok, Thailand 10600

Tel: 66 2 8925535

Fax: 66 2 8925535

Website: http://www.rsfoodstech.thailand.com

Company: New Lamthong Foods Industries Co., Ltd.

Address : 12/9 Arunamarin Rd., Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, Thailand 10700

Tel: 66 2 4334370

Fax: 66 2 8834880

Website: http://www.newlamthong.thailand.com

Company: Universal Food Public Company Limited

Address : 947/157, Moo 12, Bangna-Trad Road, Bangna, Bangkok

10260, Thailand

Tel: +66 ( 0 ) 2 398 8555, 2 361 8954-57

Fax: +66 ( 0 ) 2 744 0860-2

Company: V.A.S. ORIENTIAL THAILAND 1999 CO., LTD.

Address : 31/3 MOO 3, SOI PINYO, SONGPRAPHA ROAD, SEEGUN DONMUANG

BANGKOK, 10210 ,Thailand

Tel: (662) 5662186

Fax: (662) 5662451

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E-mail: vasorient@yahoo.com

Company: GREAT ORIENTAL FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD

Address : 888/127 SOI THANAPHOL 2, PANUCH VILLAGE,

PHACHARATBUMPHEN RD., SAMSEN-NOK HUAYKWANG, BANGKOK 10310,

Thailand

Tel:(662) 691-6821-2

Fax: (662) 691-6824

E-mail: food@greatoriental.com

Website: www.greatoriental.com

Company: SUN SWEET CO., LTD.

Address : NO. 9 MOO 1, SANPATONG-BANKAD RD. ,TOONGSATOK

SANPATONG, CHIANGMAI 50120 ,Thailand

Tel: (66-53) 830-555

Fax: (66-53) 830-563, 311-992

E-mail : kcfood@cscoms.com

Website: www.kc.co.th ,www.sunsweethai.com

Company: O.V. INTERNATIONAL IMPORT-EXPORT CO., LTD.

Address : 15 SOI TAKSIN 5, TAKSIN STREET, KLONGTONSAI KLONGSAN,

BANGKOK 10600, Thailand

Tel: (662)438-1546, 438-2585

Fax: (662) 437-8275

E-mail: info@ovinterfoods.com

Website: www.ovinterfoods.com

Company: NORTHERN FOOD CO.,LTD.

Address : 60/38 MOO 7, SOI MITRUNGROENGVILLA BOROMRAJCHONNEE

RD., TALINGCHAN, BANGKOK 10170, Thailand

Tel: (662) 880-7284-6

Fax: (662) 880-7287

E-mail: northern@ksc.th.com

Website: northernfood.co.th

Company: VITA FOOD FACTORY (1989) CO., LTD.

Address : 89 ARUNAMARIN RD., BANGYIKHAN BANGPLAD, BANGKOK 10700,

Thailand

Tel: (662) 433 6018-19

Fax: (662) 433 7333

E-mail:: vitafood@infonews.co.th; Website: www.vitafood.co.th

Company: MALEE SAMPRAN PUBLIC CO.,LTD.

Address : 401/1 MOO 8, PHAHOLYOTHIN RD., Koo Kod LUMLUKKA,

Prathumthani 12130, Thailand

Tel: (662) 992- 5800

60

Fax: (662) 992- 5839

E-mail:: rungroj@malee.co.th

Website: www.malee.co.th

Company: GREAT ORIENTAL FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD

Address : 888/127 SOI THANAPHOL 2, PANUCH VILLAGE,

PHACHARATBUMPHEN RD. ,SAMSEN-NOK HUAYKWANG ,BANGKOK 10310,

Thailand

Tel: (662) 691-6821-2

Fax: (662) 691-6824

E-mail: food@greatoriental.com

Website: www.greatoriental.com

Company: FANG AGRI FOODS PRODUCTS CO., LTD.

Address : 211 MOO 17, WIANG FANG, CHIANG MAI 50110 Thailand

Tel: (66-53) 452 074-5

Fax: (66-53) 452 425

E-mail: yutasak@fangagrifoods.co.th

Website: www.fangagrifoods.co.th

Company: GRAND ASIA FOOD INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

Address : 5/127 Soi Udomsab, Boromrajchonnanee Road – Bangkoknoi, Bangkok

10700, Thailand

Tel: (662) 433 6450 To 5

Fax: (662) 433 4255

E-mail: granda@asiaaccess.net.th

Website: www.grandasiafoods.com

Company: ASA Bangkok Ltd.

Address: 86 Ekamai 10 Sukhumvit 63, Bangkok 10110, THAILAND

Tel: (66) 2 381-9696, 381-9697